Big family gatherings are delightful – especially when there’s plenty of room for everybody in the ohana.
That was the goal of the Wahiawa homeowner. She and her sister loved to host their extended clan, but their home was outdated, and its step-down family room was not safe for kupuna and young children. Additionally, some rooms were unattached to the main house, and mostly unused.
“Our major goal was to make our home more functional by adding livable spaces, and to make it the gathering place for our family,” says the homeowner.
She attended a BIA Home Show, where she visited Graham Builders’ booth and signed up for their “Building Your Home For Life” seminar. “After learning more about their process, and seeing their past projects, we felt that they were the best company to fulfill our needs.”
Renovating for family fun
Malia Yee, lead designer for Graham Builders, began working on plans for the renovation and expansion, which included raising the recessed living room to the same level as the rest of the house. Her design included a bedroom suite and indoor laundry room, and an updated side entry from the garage, with a built-in bench to sit and put on shoes.
Another clever element: built-in laundry baskets in the new bathroom, with extra counter space above. Her team also carefully designed the rooms to take advantage of the property’s frequent trade winds, with sliding glass doors and security screen doors to let breezes flow freely.
As the project progressed, Graham Builders’ team added a few improvements to the initial design. “They always answered our questions and accommodated our requests,” reports the homeowner. Her family was so pleased that they added a new phase to the project: the installation of new windows and flooring throughout the home.
The design included a covered lanai and outdoor wet bar to extend the living area for big gatherings. The wet bar’s cabinets are made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene), a durable material that doesn’t warp or attract termites and other bugs.
“This is a fun family, and we had to make sure there was a special place for their shave ice machine,” chuckles Yee. “If too much shave ice syrup spills, they can just spray the cabinets down with a hose!”
Creating new memories
“The design team brought our wish list from concept to reality, and blended the new section with the old,” reports the homeowner, who says the covered lanai, where her ohana assembles for parties and dinners, is now her favorite part of the house. “We are all able to sit together, without some in one room and others in another. We’re looking forward to creating new family memories here!”
Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. You’re cordially invited to attend Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on Saturday, August 8th, from 9-11 a.m. Register at grahambuilders.com or call 808/593-2808.